Sister Benedict's Blessings

Concluding chapter: Did the nun bring good news or bad? And would her influence calm the fears of her friends, rich and poor?

- Fran Tracey

Excuse me, Sister, I apologise for my rudeness, but I pray you let me past, I must return to my wife and Eimear forthwith.” Colonel Stephens rushed from the Burke’s house in a hurried and harried manner, sweeping past Sister Benedict and Mary Burke who were approaching the front door. Sister Benedict was surprised to see him. She thought once the eviction had been carried out that Colonel Stephens’ business with the Burkes was done.

“I hope all is well, Colonel,” Sister Benedict called after him, feeling trepidation at his appearance, for both his sake and the Burkes’. The Colonel hesitated, his countenance hard to read.

“I don’t know, Sister, if the truth be told,” he admitted to Sister Benedict.

“You don’t know?” Mary’s voice trembled, and she rushed in to her Da.

“Speak with them, please,” the Colonel pleaded, once Mary had disappeared from view. “I have made Colm Burke a proposition. A good one, I hope, but from the reception I received I am now not so sure. I trust you, Sister. If anyone can persuade them it’s for the best it will be you.”

He mounted his horse and rode away.

Sister Benedict watched him make his way back to his wife and their newly adopted baby. She took a deep breath and entered the Burkes’ home.

Colm was sitting by the fireside, his head in his hands, mumbling. Mary sat by his feet. The sight was so reminiscent of what Sister Benedict had witnessed when she’d visited the Burkes’ after Mrs Burke had passed away it tore at her heart.

“Da, now speak clearly, will ya,” Mary asked, stroking his back. “I can’t make hide nor hair of what you’re telling me. Don’t know if it’s good, bad or indifferent.”